Amid concern over the omicron variant, 10 African countries have been added to the travel red list  and a number of nations – including France, Portugal and Spain – are imposing stricter restrictions on arrivals from the UK.  

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that anyone travelling to the UK must now take a PCR test by the end of the second day after their arrival, and self-isolate until they have received a negative result – regardless of the country they are travelling from, or their vaccination status. The new rules came into force at 4am Tuesday November 30.

Portugal, Switzerland and Spain have also heightened their entry restrictions. Since December 1, all arrivals in Portugal must show evidence of a negative Covid-19 test, regardless of their vaccination status. For entry to Switzerland, Britons must show a negative PCR test and quarantine for 10 days. Spain is no longer accepting unvaccinated British tourists, and requires all visitors to take a pre-travel Covid test.

Here is everything you need to know about the red list, the latest travel restrictions, and how the new omicron variant could affect your next holiday. 

What are the latest red list travel rules?

South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Namibia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Angola have all been added to the red list – flights from these countries to the UK have been banned.

This means that anyone arriving from these countries will have to spend 10 days in a hotel quarantine on their return to the UK, and will face a £10,000 penalty if they flout the rules. 

Arrivals from any of these countries before 4am Sunday November 28 were told to follow special guidance and isolate at home for 10 days – with free PCR tests provided to take during quarantine on day two and day eight.

What are the new rules for testing?

Since November 30, all travellers arriving in the UK are required to take a PCR test by the end of the second day after their arrival, and self-isolate until they have a negative result. Previously, fully vaccinated travellers were only required to take a rapid lateral flow test. 

Have any other countries imposed new rules?

Yes – including many European nations. As of December 1, Portugal requires all travellers to show a negative test certificate on arrival, with a fine of €300-800 threatened against those who do not comply. Meanwhile, since December 2, Spain now refuses access to partially or non-vaccinated British travellers, and Britons wishing to enter Switzerland must now show a negative PCR test and quarantine for 10 days. 

Several other countries, including Germany, Australia and Italy, have imposed restrictions on travel from southern Africa as the new variant sparks global concern. On November 26, all 27 EU member states “agreed on the need to activate the emergency brake & impose temporary restrictions on all travel into EU from southern Africa”.

Are countries reintroducing lockdowns?

Yes. A fourth wave of Covid-19 has prompted further clampdowns across the Continent. Austria has entered a national lockdown amid a rise in Covid-19 cases. The Netherlands has imposed an 8pm curfew on restaurants and bars, while Slovakia, Germany, Italy and Czech Republic are among the countries to clamp down on freedoms for unvaccinated visitors and residents. 

Could any other countries be added to the UK’s red list?

It is possible. The US, Israel, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Hong Kong have all recorded cases of the omicron variant. However, as the UK has now recorded its first omicron cases itself, it is unlikely that countries will be placed on the red list simply for having cases.  

I am in South Africa, what should I do?

If you are in South Africa or one of the affected countries, you must book your hotel quarantine for arrival into the UK. Quarantine hotel costs £2,285 for an adult and £1,430 for an additional adult in the same room or children over 12.

While direct flights to the UK stopped operating at noon on November 26, you will be able to fly to another hub and then back from there. These options are severely limited, however, especially as other countries begin to ban flights from southern Africa. 

It is worth contacting your travel insurer to check their Covid-19 policies, and to see if you could be eligible for support if you are stranded in a southern African country.

I have a holiday booked to South Africa, what should I do?

If you are booked to travel to South Africa or any of the affected countries with an Atol-protected tour operator, your trip will be cancelled and you will be due a refund. Wait for the company to cancel your trip, rather than cancelling unilaterally, or you may not be eligible for a refund.

If you have booked flights independently to South Africa or one of the affected countries, these will be cancelled and your airline will offer a refund or a rebooking option. Contact your airline direct for your options. Do not cancel your flights, or you may not be eligible for a refund.

If you have booked accommodation direct, check its Covid cancellation policy to see if you are eligible for a refund, and contact them direct immediately to explain your situation.

I am nervous about my winter holiday, what can I do?

If you have booked a winter holiday, you may be feeling nervous about what the reintroduction of the red list, tightened testing rules and the new omicron variant could mean for your getaway. However, it is very early days. Professor Chris Whitty has said omicron is less worrying than delta – but a lot will depend on how countries react as more information about the variant is uncovered.

If you do decide to change holiday plans, you should contact your holiday company, accommodation or airline provider direct to see if you can rebook. There will be no obligation for any company to issue a refund due to holiday nerves, but you can contact them to ask if this is an option. Do not cancel unilaterally, or you will not receive a refund.

Have your holiday plans been affected by the new travel restrictions? Comment below to let us know.